CRANFORD FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Brenna Dolan, varsity softball

“Brenna is a senior captain pitcher for the Cranford High School Softball team. Brenna has pitched on varsity for four years. Her ERA for the 2017 season was 3.42, with 106 strikeouts. I’m looking forward to a great season with Brenna as one of our vocal leaders on this team.”

— Coach Heather West

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
“Derek Jeter, because he embodies what good sportsmanship is all about. He has always been a role model for me, through his actions on an off the field. His leadership qualities taught me what it means to be a good teammate and ball player.”

How did you get interested in playing softball?
“I first became interested in softball when I was 8 years old and, at first, it was just a fun sport that I played with my friends. Later on, I discovered my love for the game, when I started pitching and the game became more competitive. It was no longer just another sport; it became something I could work toward and became passionate about.”

What is your biggest challenge on the field?
“Pacing myself when I pitch. I often get into a quick rhythm when I pitch and, sometimes, I need to regroup and slow myself down. A slower rhythm is better, because it gives me more time to think about the next pitch,
rather than rush into it.”

What do you look forward to most this season?
“I look forward to making great memories on and off the field with
my teammates. I also look forward to playing my senior year with such a strong group of athletes.”

What is your favorite part of being on a team?
“The bonds I make with my teammates and the common love we each have for the game of softball. Whether we win or lose, we always support each other and have each others’ backs.”

What is one thing you do to train or practice that directly contributes to your success?
“One thing I do in practice that contributes to my success is to go back to the basics. I make sure that I maintain the foundation for pitching that I was taught when I was first learning, which gives me confidence and control over my pitches.”

What do you hope to improve on this year and why?
“This year, I hope to improve the consistency of some of my breaking pitches. This will help the team defensively and allow me to pitch with
more confidence and control.”